Texan schooner Invincible facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Texas
Commissioned	January 18, 1836
Decommissioned	August 27, 1837
Fate	Run aground and destroyed 1837
General characteristics
Class and type	Schooner
Tons burthen	100, or 125 (bm)
Length	75 ft (23 m)
Propulsion	wind
Speed	variable
Complement	40, or 70
Armament	1):2 × 18 pounder + 2 × 9 pounder + 4 × 6 pounder guns 2):1 × 9-pounder gun + 6 carronades

The Texas schooner Invincible was one of the first four schooners of the Texas Navy. This small navy served the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1837. The Invincible started its service in January 1836.

It quickly began attacking ships that were supplying the Mexican army in Texas. This included capturing the American merchant ship Pocket and later the British ship Eliza Russell. These actions caused diplomatic problems between the Republic of Texas and both the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Invincible was later repaired in New York City. It barely avoided being taken by the United States Navy for breaking America's neutrality laws. The ship served until it ran aground and was destroyed near Galveston, Texas, on August 27, 1837. This happened while it was trying to escape two ships from the Mexican Navy. During its short time with the Republic of Texas, the Invincible was a key ship, acting as a raider and the flagship of the small Texian navy.

Getting the Invincible Ready for Battle

In the 1830s, Mexican ships were active along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Because of this, the Texas government realized it needed its own navy. On the same day Texas got its first ship, the Liberty, they were offered the Invincible.

Texas agents Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel May Williams had bought the schooner for over $12,000. They offered it to the government. The Invincible was approved and bought on January 8, 1836.

The schooner was built to be strong and fast. It was fitted with powerful guns in New Orleans. These included two 18-pounder guns, two 9-pounders, and four 6-pounders. By the time the Invincible was ready for service with its 70-person crew, it cost almost $20,000.

On March 12, 1836, Captain Jeremiah Brown took command of the ship.

Battles and Captures

Captain Brown's first mission was to protect the Texas coast from the Mexican warship Montezuma. On April 3, 1836, he found her. The Mexican ship, now called Bravo, was a 20-gun warship. It was near the mouth of the Rio Grande, waiting for repairs.

The Invincible approached, and one of its officers, William H. Leving, was sent to the Bravo in a small boat. But when the Bravo tried to escape with Leving on board, the Invincible opened fire. The Bravo ran aground on a sandbar and was destroyed by the Invincibles gunfire. The Invincible was not damaged. Sadly, the Bravos crew escaped with Leving and harmed him.

The battle between the Invincible and Bravo was seen by the American ship Pocket. This merchant ship was carrying food and weapons for Santa Anna's army. It also had important information about Santa Anna's plans to take Texas ports. After destroying the Bravo, Captain Brown captured the Pocket.

The Invincible arrived with the Pocket in Galveston on April 8. Sam Houston's army used the captured supplies to strengthen Galveston Island. Some historians believe the Invincible helped Sam Houston win the Battle of San Jacinto. It did this by stopping Mexican reinforcements and giving supplies to the Texans just before the battle.

Piracy Claims and Repairs

After the Pocket was captured, its captain, Elijah Howe, accused Captain Brown of piracy. On May 1, the American ship Warren captured the Invincible and took it to New Orleans. Forty-six of its crew were also taken. Captain Brown escaped capture.

The crew was soon released because there wasn't enough proof against them. The defense argued that the Invincible had captured the Pocket for breaking Texas laws. The Pocket was carrying illegal goods and spies to Santa Anna. After his men were released, Brown surrendered and was also set free. However, the Texas government later agreed to pay the United States $11,750 for the Pocket. This amount, with interest, was paid in 1849.

The Invincible continued to defend the coast until June. Then, it was ordered to take Santa Anna to Veracruz. Santa Anna was already on the ship when General Thomas Jefferson Green arrived on June 5. He stopped the transport.

In September, the Invincible went to New York City for repairs. It almost stayed there because Texas didn't have enough money to pay for the work. But a Texas supporter, Samuel Swartwout, paid the debt. This allowed the ship to leave. The Invincible was then chased by a ship sent to arrest its crew for breaking U.S. neutrality laws. It fled back to Galveston, arriving on March 14, 1837.

New Commander and Final Battle

In April 1837, the Invincible got a new captain, Commodore H. L. Thompson. After searching the Texas coast without finding any enemy ships, he sailed to Mexico with the schooner Brutus. The ships captured several small boats and burned some Mexican towns. They also captured several larger vessels.

One of these was the British merchant ship Eliza Russell. This ship was flying a neutral flag and was not carrying anything illegal. The Eliza Russell was quickly released. However, the British government later demanded and received about $4,000 in payment for the ship being held.

Because of these actions, and because the Invincible had sailed longer than its orders allowed, President Sam Houston removed Captain Thompson from his command. Houston also fired Texas's Secretary of the Navy, Samuel Rhoads Fisher, who had left his job to join the ships. Thompson died on November 1, 1837, before he could be put on trial.

The wreck of the schooner Invincible at Galveston in 1837 by E.M. Schiwetz

The Invincible and Brutus returned to Galveston on August 26, 1837. The Brutus entered the harbor, but bad weather kept the Invincible outside. The next morning, the Mexican ships Vencedor del Alamo and Libertador attacked the Invincible.

The Brutus tried to help the Invincible, but it ran aground. After resisting for some time, the Invincible also tried to enter the harbor and ran aground. Its crew left the ship, and the Invincible was destroyed by the waves during the night. With the loss of these two ships, the First Texas Navy was gone.

On May 23, 1838, President Houston agreed to pay the officers and crew half the value of the ships they had captured on their last trip.

Captured Vessels

All the vessels captured by the Invincible and Brutus were schooners.

Possible Discovery

The National Underwater and Marine Agency, started by Clive Cussler, may have found the wreck site in 1995.